Bobby Lee Williams

Bobby Williams, age 83 of Gatesville, passed away on Friday, October 10, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at Live Oak Baptist Church in Gatesville. Private family burial will follow. Bobby’s family will receive visitors from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday evening at the church.

Bobby Lee Williams was born April 2, 1942 to the late Y.W. (Babe) and Orleane Williams. He attended Gatesville High School until halfway through his senior year when he decided to go work on the Hartsell Ranch in Colorado for Jack Fry, along with his cousin Jerry Watts. He worked there until joining the Navy in February 1961. He served in what he called “Uncle Sam’s Canoe Club” until March 31, 1965, when he returned home to Gatesville. He began working in the refrigeration shop at Fort Hood in April 1965. During this time, he also broke horses and traveled the local rodeo circuit, entering calf roping with other Gatesville cowboys. In 1970 he met the love of his life, Johnnie Paul, while she was waiting tables at Dyers Restaurant. They were married October 2, 1970 and made their home in Gatesville.

Bobby retired from Fort Hood in September 1980. He also operated his own HVAC and refrigeration business on the side during this time. In 1986 he started BW Livestock, buying and selling cattle as well as hauling them for local ranchers. In April 1991, he started working for TDCJ Maintenance at the Pack unit in Navasota Texas, eventually transferring back to the Hilltop Unit in 1992, where he remained until his retirement in August of 2003. During this time, he also taught several semesters of HVAC and refrigeration at Central Texas College in Killeen.

In 1971, he and Johnnie bought property off rural route 1 in Fort Gates, Texas, where they settled and raised their three children, while farming and ranching. His greatest passion was working and spending time with his family and friends at their place on Old Fort Gates Road. Bobby was a lifetime member of Live Oak Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school to 5th and 6th grade boys for many years, as well as serving on numerous committees.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents Babe and Orleane Williams; his father-in-law, WP Paul, Sr.; and treasured friends Donny Brown, James (Junior) Sheridan, Bill and Margaret Veazey and Paul Humes.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Johnnie Williams; sister, Sammy Jo Williams; brother, Johnny Williams and wife, Karen; brother in law, WP Paul Jr. and wife, Martha; sons, Marty Williams and wife Kendra, Toby Williams and wife Jackie; daughter, Dori Burns and husband Coby; grandchildren, Colton Ridley and wife Becca, Caden Ridley and wife Norma, Ella Jo Burns, Cory Burns, Cy Burns, Marlee Williams, Mickey Saye, Katie Ripps, Samantha Aguilar, and Sean Aguilar; and great grandchildren, Eli and Maddie.

Bobby’s family request that memorials be made to Live Oak Baptist Church, 113 FM 107, Gatesville, Texas, 76528.